Police want to trace fans after Theo Walcott was pelted with coins at Arsenal's FA cup clash with Spurs

Monday 3 February 2014 10:24 BST

Police are looking for three men accused of pelting England winger Theo Walcott with coins during an Arsenal-Spurs clash.

The 24-year-old came under a shower of missiles as he was stretchered off after injuring his knee during the north London derby at Emirates Stadium on January 4.

Stewards and St John Ambulance staff were also hit by the coins, in a confrontation that saw Walcott make a “2-0” gesture with his hands in retaliation, referring to the scoreline.

His knee injury means he will be out of action for six months and miss out on the World Cup in Brazil

Today Scotland Yard released grainy pictures of the three men suspected of throwing coins.

The force said: “During the match, an Arsenal player on a stretcher, medical staff carrying him and stewards were struck by coins and other missiles thrown at them from a section of the crowd occupied by Tottenham fans.

“The player and stewards received minor injuries as a result. Officers from the Metropolitan Police launched an investigation and have now identified three men they would like to contact.”

Anyone with information can call the Public Order Crime Investigation Team on 07769 241315.

In the days after the match, the Football Association confirmed that it had contacted Arsenal and Spurs over the missile-throwing and would back the harshest punishments possible, including life bans.

Police are also investigating anti-Semitic Tweets, that referred to the Holocaust, that were posted after the match.

Anyone with information should call the Public Order Crime Investigation Team on 07769 241315.

How did your club fare in the January transfer window?

How did your club fare in the January transfer window?

1/6
Arsenal

In: Kim Kallstrom (Spartak Moscow, Loan).
Out: Benik Afobe (Sheffield Wednesday, Loan), Chuba Akpom (Brentford, Loan), Nico Yennaris (Brentford, Undisclosed), Anthony Jeffrey (Wycombe, Free), Emmanuel Frimpong (Barnsley, Undisclosed), Daniel Boateng (Hibernian, Loan), Park Chu-young (Watford, loan).
Arsene Wenger needed to strengthen his midfield options after Aaron Ramsey suffered an injury setback and turned to the experienced Kim Kallstrom on deadline day. However, when Arsenal medics identified a back injury that would keep out Kallstrom for the next six weeks, Wenger pressed on with the deal. The Gunners could not push through a deal for Julian Draxler and a lack of attacking options could cost them if Olivier Giroud suffers a loss of form or injury.
Verdict: 5/10

Arsenal FC

2/6
Chelsea

In: Nemanja Matic (Benfica, £22m), Kurt Zouma (St-Etienne, £12.5m), Mohamed Salah (Basle, £11m), Bertrand Traoré (Association Jeunes Espoirs De Bobo-Dioulasso, Free).
Out: Juan Mata (Manchester United, £37.1m), Kevin de Bruyne (Wolfsburg, £17m), Sam Walker (Colchester, Free), Patrick Bamford (Derby County, Loan), Josh McEachran (Wigan, Loan), Ryan Bertrand (Aston Villa, Loan), Nathaniel Chalobah (Middlesbrough, Loan), Kenneth Omeruo (Middlebrough, Loan), Bertrand Traoré (Vitesse Arnhem, Loan), Michael Essien (AC Milan, Free), Billy Clifford (Antwerp, Loan), Jonathan Muleba (Bournemouth, Free), Kurt Zouma (St-Etienne, Loan), Gael Kakuta (Lazio, Loan).
Jose Mourinho had said at the start of the month that he envisaged no business in or out of the club but Chelsea were active. Mourinho was reluctant to sell Chelsea’s player of the season from the previous two seasons but his squad is stronger now than when the window opened. Nemanja Matic has developed quickly in Portugal since leaving Stamford Bridge and he is a quality addition. Mohamed Salah gave Ashley Cole and Branislav Ivanovic a tough time as Basel won both their Champions League group games against Chelsea. Kurt Zouma, a 19-year-old France youth international, is one for the future.
Verdict: 8/10

4/6
Fulham

Fulham
In: Kostas Mitroglou (Olympiakos, £12m), Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders, Loan), William Kvist (Stuttgart, Loan), Lewis Holtby (Tottenham, Loan), John Heitinga (Everton, Loan).
Out: Stephen Arthurworrey (Tranmere, Loan), Marcus Bettinelli (Accrington Stanley, Loan), Jack Grimmer (Port Vale, Loan), Bryan Ruiz (PSV Eindhoven, Loan), Aaron Hughes (QPR, Loan), Dimitar Berbatov (Monaco, Loan), Philipe Senderos (Valencia, Undisclosed).
Fulham, second bottom in the Premier League, desperately needed to strengthen their squad and the signings of Lewis Holtby and Kostas Mitroglou were two of the best deals on deadline day. Tottenham midfielder Holtby joins on loan, while Mitroglou has signed a four-and-a-half-year deal following his £11million move from Olympiakos. Clint Dempsey has looked off the pace since rejoining on a two-month loan but John Heitinga looks a decent signing at the back. Fulham have given themselves a great chance of staying up. Dimitar Berbatov has looked disinterested all season and his departure is no great loss.
Verdict: 7/10

5/6
Tottenham

In: None.
Out: Jermain Defoe (Toronto FC, £6m), Simon Dawkins (Derby, £500,000), Shaquile Coulthirst (Leyton Orient, Loan), Jonathan Obika (Brighton & Hove Albion, Loan), Ryan Fredericks (Millwal, Loan), Adam Smith (Bournemouth, £250,000), Lewis Holtby (Fulham, Loan).
Tim Sherwood was not looking to bring in any players and is content with the squad he has at his disposal. Tottenham went on a spending spree in the summer, signing seven new players and spending over £100million, and did not need multiple additions in January. With Jermain Defoe set to leave at the end of the month, Spurs were linked with a new striker but Sherwood was wary of unsettling in-form Emmanuel Adebayor. Lewis Holtby was out of favour under the new head coach.
Verdict: 7/10

GETTY

6/6
West Ham

In: Jaanai Gordon (Peterborough, £3.5m), Roger Johnson (Wolves, Loan), Marco Borriello (Roma, Loan), Antonio Nocerino (AC Milan, Loan), Abdul Razak (Anzhi Makhachkala, Loan), Pablo Armero (Napoli, Loan).
Out: Blair Turgott (Rotherham, Loan), Paul MCallum (Hearts, Loan), Jordan Spence (MK Dons, Loan), Mladen Petric, Razvan Rat (Both released).
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce boosted his squad with Italian pair Marco Borriello and Antonio Nocerino joining on loan deals until the end of the season. Borriello has seven caps for Italy and could turn out to be a good bit of business if he rediscovers his form in front of goal. Nocerino has 15 caps and scored a penalty against England at Euro 2012. Sam Allardyce was looking for a number of deadline-day day signings and the arrival of Pablo Armero on loan from Napoli provides cover for the injured Joey O’Brien.
Verdict: 7/10